Washington County, Maryland

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.2 | 155,813 people · 9th most distressed in Maryland
American Default Research

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Washington County, MD registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.2 — 1060th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Maryland, it ranks 9th of 24 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.8 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 59
Homeownership Rate 82
Legal Distress 56.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Economic Vitality 53.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 58
Rent-to-Income Ratio 50
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Consumer Credit Distress 53.1
Debt in Collections 53
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 59
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 60
Structural Poverty 51.4
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 37

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated —
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated -0.3
Allegany County, MD 57.4 Elevated -0.9
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal -14.3
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal -19.4
Jefferson County, WV 36.8 Normal -21.4
Morgan County, WV 36.7 Normal -21.5
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy -27.2
Loudoun County, VA 25.1 Healthy -33.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Josephine County, OR 58.2 Elevated 0.0
Blount County, AL 58.2 Elevated -0.0
Richland County, OH 58.3 Elevated +0.0
Morgan County, AL 58.3 Elevated +0.1
Vermilion County, IL 58.1 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Washington County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Washington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington County.

HAGERSTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP, INC.(HNDP)/ aka Hagerstown Home Store
Hagerstown
301-797-0900 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Maryland →

Find an Attorney

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 410-685-7878

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Washington County residents at no cost.

Maryland Legal Aid 410-539-5340
Community Law Center (Baltimore) 410-366-0922
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) 410-539-6800
Civil Justice (Baltimore) 410-706-0900

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Maryland →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Washington County, Maryland?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 58.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,060th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Maryland out of 24 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (58.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Berkeley County, WV (57.9); Allegany County, MD (57.4); Franklin County, PA (43.9).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Washington County's score of 58.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Washington County's CDI score?

    Washington County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Washington County?

    Washington County, Maryland has a population of approximately 155,813 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.